An investigation by the US-based NGO China Labor Watch has revealed concerning labour rights violations at a Chinese factory producing the popular Labubu toys. The report alleges that workers, including those as young as 16 and 17 years old, are being subjected to excessive overtime, unrealistic production targets, and other exploitative practices.
The factory in question, Shunjia Toys in Jiangxi province, employs over 4,500 people, all of whom were found to be working exclusively on the manufacture of Labubu toys. Researchers from China Labor Watch conducted interviews with more than 50 employees, including three minors, and uncovered a range of troubling issues.
According to the report, the underage workers were assigned to standard assembly line positions, with no special protections or reduced workloads as required by Chinese law. The investigators also found that workers were routinely asked to sign blank employment contracts, with key details such as working conditions, salary, and social insurance left blank and unexplained.
Reflecting the soaring global demand for Labubu toys, employees reported being given unrealistic production targets, with teams of 25-30 workers expected to assemble at least 4,000 units per day. Chinese labour laws limit monthly overtime to 36 hours, but the researchers found that workers were often logging more than 100 additional hours each month.
In response to the findings, a spokesperson for Labubu’s parent company, Pop Mart, stated that the welfare and safety of workers at its supplier factories are taken “very seriously.” The company said it conducts regular audits of its supply chain and will investigate the issues raised, requiring corrective actions if the findings are substantiated.
However, the conditions described at the Shunjia Toys factory are not isolated incidents in China’s manufacturing sector, where workers often face long hours, low pay, and limited enforcement of labour protections. The surging popularity of Labubu toys has also fueled a thriving black market for counterfeit “Lafufu” products, which are often produced in unregulated home factories with even worse working conditions.
The China Labor Watch report highlights the challenges faced by Chinese companies as they aggressively expand into international markets, where they are increasingly expected to adhere to higher labour standards. Experts say that more robust supply chain oversight mechanisms, accessible grievance channels for workers, and greater transparency around factory conditions are needed to address these persistent issues.